What is about me and extra inning games? I know this blog isn’t about me, but come on. I blog about two teams; Our Angels and the Chicago White Sox. The Sox have played 3 straight 10 inning games. The Angels have gone extra stanza’s 3 of their last 4 games. Chicago lost 2 of 3, while the Halos won all three of their games–which is great!

Dan Haren is a man possessed. After picking up a win in relief on Saturday, he outdid himself by throwing a 1 hitter vs. Cleveland 3 days later. I love it now, I hope it doesn’t comeback to haunt him in August.

It wasn’t lie the Angels hit the cover off the ball against Fausto Carmona, only getting 4 hits. Luckily for them 2 of them left the park, one by Peter Bourjos, the other by Mark Trumbo. Trumbo’s, a line drive shot, was the first of what I think will be many. It great to see the Angels produce a couple players who know how to handle the bat. We all know about Brandon Woods troubles, and Jeff Mathis isn’t much better. Even with his hitting problems, Mathis does know how to handle pitchers. Haren, along with Jered Weaver on Sunday , are two prime examples of pitchers who benefit from Mathis’ experience behind the plate. I still don’t know, if in 2011, you can have any position player in your lineup that can’t hit at least .200, no matter how great they are defensively. The last guy I know who was all field and no bat was the late Mark Belanger of the Baltimore Orioles. That was in the 70′s, when SS and C were your weakest positions, offensively, on the team.

The Halos took my advice on Tuesday, resting Vernon Wells, and saving us all from ofer. Angels did win game 2, 2-0.

LAA was back in action on Wednesday. Thankfully they brought along Torii Hunter. Hunter, the key to the Halos offense, launched a cannon shot off Carlos Carrasco in the 4th that gave the Angels a 3-1 lead. Minutes before the Indians threw the ball around the diamond, turning Howie Kendricks double in to a 4 bagger. Yes, it was still ruled a double–dah.

Bourjos did something not seen all the time. He pulled off the golden sombrero-hestruck out 4 times in the game. Oley Bourjos. My favorite was the first inning when Carrasco gave him 3 fastballs, which he watched. I do think Bourjos will be a good hitter, but as we all know its gonna take some time.

Another quality start for Ervin Santana. 7 innings, with only 3 runs allowed. His last start he went 8 innings, once again only giving up 3 runs. Hopefully, those efforts will turn in to some wins for him.

The Angels bullpen has now gone 20 innings without allowing a run. Takahashi was close to unhittable in his 2 innings, while Fernando Rodney continues to put up zeros. I still think he will inplode, but right now he looks great. Justin Walden and Scott Downs looked great as well.

Did you see what happened tonight? I’m not lying when I say this. Vernon Wells got a hit to raise his average to 102. He was 0-4 before the hard single in the 12th, but you have to start somewhere. Believe it or not, the Halos loaded the bases in the 12th, with Wells at 3rd, when up stepped (drum roll please) MATHIS. It’s my perfect storm. Instead of bouncing in to a double play or striking out, Chad Durbin gave him something to hit, and Mathis did, bringing home Wells with a sac fly.

It took 12, but the Angels won 4-3. The Angels now head to Chicago and more, I am sure of it, extra inning games.

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Written by Bill Mahoney
O'kay I'll talk about myself a little. I've been working in the television/radio industry for over 21 years. I started at 2 so I am just a tad over 21 (That is a joke). My career has taken me around and and even out of the United States. Right now I call Vegas home, but I just never know where life will take me next. Until 2002 my irrational love for the California/Anaheim/LAA had taken me down some very dark roads, but with Arte Moreno in charge I finally saw the a light at the end of the road. I really love most every sports and having as much fun as possible.